McClain: Texans need to shed softer side

After last season, Gary Kubiak signed a two-year extension through 2012.

After last season, Gary Kubiak signed a two-year extension through 2012.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

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After last season, Gary Kubiak signed a two-year extension through 2012.

After last season, Gary Kubiak signed a two-year extension through 2012.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

McClain: Texans need to shed softer side

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For those of you demanding coach Gary Kubiak be fired with a 4-4 record and eight games left to play, it isn't going to happen.

Owner Bob McNair made that clear Monday night at the Taste of the Texans benefit at Reliant Stadium, so it's a moot point.

When McNair was asked how he would respond to fans who want Kubiak fired, he said, "That's not how we run this ship."

End of story.

After last season, Kubiak signed a two-year extension through the 2012 season. I don't see McNair paying Kubiak and another head coach — even though he did it for one year with Dom Capers.

Unless a new collective bargaining agreement is signed, the probability of a lockout is going to keep some owners from changing coaches.

Here's why: Players are off until organized team activities begin in March. The lockout would begin March 4, and a new coach wouldn't have his players until the lockout ends.

The lockout could end any time. Say this one ends the last week of August or the first week of September. Teams might have two weeks to get ready for their openers. A new coach wanting to bring in his players and implement his system is going to be way behind coaches who have their systems intact.

That won't keep some owners from making moves. One might make Bill Cowher the first $10-million-a-year coach and be excited to have him without his players and his system for a while.

Task at hand

While a lot of fans are trying to figure out who the next coach will be, Kubiak and the Texans are trying to figure out how to beat Jacksonville.

Here's a tip: Don't try an option pass inside the 5-yard line.

The Texans are capable of beating the Jaguars. They're in the same situation: 4-4 and tied for last place in the division.

The Texans are done with the Colts but have four games left against the Jaguars and Titans. Both are physical teams, and the Texans have developed the well-deserved reputation that they're soft.

Soft means you might have tough players, but collectively, you don't have what it takes to win games you're supposed to win - like a home tilt against a San Diego team with an offense ravaged by injuries.

It also means you don't have what it takes to stun the league by upsetting a physical team like the Giants, Jets, Ravens or Titans.

The Giants obliterated the Texans, but they'll have a chance to get rid of their soft label against the Jets, Ravens and Titans - not to mention two games against the Jags.

The Texans proved their offensive toughness by running the ball well against the NFL's second-ranked run defense. They proved their defensive toughness by knocking out several San Diego players.

But their collective softness showed when they blew the game. They gave away a nine-point advantage in the third quarter and a two-point lead in the fourth, and they failed to make a play in the end to win.

Midway sticking point

The Texans have eight games to prove just about everybody wrong - everybody who has given up on their playoff hopes, everybody who wants the coaching staff blown out, and everybody who thinks their recent collapse will continue through the second half.

"You're halfway through, and you've got to determine what type of season you want to finish with," middle linebacker Brian Cushing said. "Do you want to win eight straight or not? That's just the bottom line.

"We don't want to finish 6-2. We want to go 8-0. Everybody's got to get on board if they want to do it."

All aboard!

John McClain can be heard on 610 AM at 8:30 a.m. Mondays, 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 4:30 p.m. Fridays.